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It was early morning, still dim.
The people of various villages began their busy day.
As they walked onto the streets, they soon discovered something strange.
Walls, pillars, alleys...
As far as the eye could see, small posters were plastered everywhere on the streets.
"What is this?"
Curiosity prompted the people to gather closer.
"Hakumai Castle, pre-sale?"
News that Hakumai was building a city had already spread throughout Wano Country, even the poor villagers knew about it.
But what did pre-sale mean?
"Hey, can anyone explain what this pre-sale means?"
"I know!"
Under the explanation of the educated, the villagers quickly understood the situation, instantly causing a sensation.
Hakumai Castle would pre-sell properties, which not only included a large number of shops and factories but also residential houses, and it was possible to visit sample homes in Hakumai.
But these were secondary.
The most important thing was the price. Taking residential housing as an example, a two-story residential building could be acquired for only 50 gold, while in the Flower Capital, the same house would cost at least 100 gold!
It was half the price!
Even in other towns, the price of 50 gold was extremely competitive, at least 20 to 30 percent lower than normal housing prices.
Not only that, the notice also specially drew a simple layout map of Hakumai Castle, which included various public facilities such as hospitals, schools, parks, and a port.
And there was an even more important point!
Hakumai Castle pre-sales supported down payments. One only needed to spend 20 gold to reserve in advance, and then pay the remaining amount within the stipulated time. The downside was that the total price would be higher.
A set of smooth combo moves directly ignited the enthusiasm of the people in various villages, especially those in the Flower Capital!
"I want to buy a house!"
A large portion of the people living in the Flower Capital could not afford houses and could only barely manage by renting.
Now, they had hope of buying a house.
Hakumai Castle was very close to the Flower Capital. Even if they couldn't make a living in Hakumai Castle in the future, they could go to the Flower Capital to work, which would only cost them some time commuting in the morning and evening.
Not only the poor, but also the middle class and the rich were eager to get a share, as purchasing real estate was an excellent way to preserve wealth.
With housing prices half that of the Flower Capital, whether selling or renting to others in the future, it would be a guaranteed profit.
Hakumai, construction site.
After nearly a month of construction, the city had begun to take shape, especially some of the sample homes built for display, which were quite beautiful.
Outside the construction site, at the intersection of the main roads.
A three-story grand mansion, occupying a thousand square meters, was declared complete. Several workers stood on the outer edges of the second floor, carefully placing a sign.
"Be careful, don't make it crooked!"
"Alright, alright, just like that!"
"Done!"
When the workers moved aside, seven large golden characters were displayed for all to see.
[Hakumai Castle's Sales Office]!
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Daichi clapped vigorously.
Perfect, absolutely perfect!
This was the effect he wanted!
According to his calculations, it wouldn't be long before this sales office would become the most bustling place in Wano Country.
The kind where you couldn't even squeeze in!
Shimotsuki Yasuie stood behind Daichi, looking up at the extremely luxurious sales office, and then at the residential area behind the sales office where the foundations had just been laid.
Even though he considered himself widely knowledgeable, his heart couldn't help but be greatly shocked at this moment, feeling that his lifelong understanding had been trampled into the ground.
This... this... can it really work?
Shimotsuki Yasuie's mouth was dry, and he couldn't help but ask, "Daichi-sama, will people really come to buy houses that haven't been built yet?"
"Of course."
Daichi glanced at Yasuie.
"Also who said I am only selling houses?"
"Huh?"
Shimotsuki Yasuie was confused.
If not selling houses, then what was he selling?
Daichi grinned.
"Yasuie, I ask you, when you were a Daimyo, if you guaranteed this construction site, would the residents of Hakumai believe you?!"
"You mean..!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie realised.
With the Wano Country Shogun and the daughter of the strongest creature jointly guaranteeing, plus continuous construction, could the people still doubt whether Hakumai Castle could be built?
Impossible!
Moreover, the price was so cheap.
"Hiss—!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie looked at Daichi, couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
This was also selling credibility!
Genius, genius!
Such a method, unheard of!
He still had one question.
"Daichi-sama, since the houses here are sure to sell, why set the prices so low?"
A price of 50 gold, in other towns, it would be impossible to buy a large house, not even enough for the cost price.
If not for the workers in Hakumai being prisoners who didn't need wages, and more than half of the construction materials being obtained for free from logging and quarries.
At this price, selling one house would result in a loss of about 20 gold. As the chief engineer, he was well aware that the houses in Hakumai were not poorly built.
"About that."
Daichi looked at Shimotsuki Yasuie.
This old man's mind was probably not as sharp as when he was young.
Daichi asked with a smile, "Yasuie, think carefully, what does this city need most? Is it money?"
"What it needs most is..."
Yasuie frowned in thought for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"It's people!"
"Exactly!"
Daichi burst into laughter.
He had been a Daimyo after all, and read many books, but he was in a feudal environment and hadn't seen the world.
The selling price of houses was not important. Even renting them out for free would be acceptable. To develop, population was most important, otherwise, even if built, it would just be an empty city.
Therefore, he wanted to seize the population!
In this feudal country, population was the primary productive force.
With enough population, more farmland could be cultivated, more food produced, thereby creating more wealth, and even more weapons.
Once Hakumai Castle developed and grew, he could earn a fortune just by collecting taxes, or rather, collecting taxes was another form of rent!
Daichi raised his hand, pointing toward the Flower Capital.
"Look!"
"Hiss, so many people!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie looked toward the Flower Capital, stunned and wide-eyed. Dense black dots were surging in, like ants crossing.
All people!
"There are some on the west side too!"
A large number of boats appeared on the western river.
Clearly, the people of Wano Country who had heard the news all wanted to join the excitement. As they approached Hakumai, the people also crowded together.
"Prepare to welcome guests!"
Daichi shouted loudly.
"The number of guests buying houses will only increase from now on. Make sure to maintain order. Cho, throw out anyone who dares to cut in line!"
"Understood! Daichi-sama!"
Cho, who had already prepared, responded loudly with her subordinates. For this day, they had rehearsed dozens of times.
But the massive dark formation in the distance still startled them greatly.
Just how many people is this!
Also, Daichi said the number of people buying houses would continue to increase?
That doesn't seem possible at all!
"I have something else to do, I'll be going first."
Daichi decisively slipped away. He didn't want to stay and suffer.
He had seen such scenes of house-buying armies before. The more frantic it was, the more people wanted to buy houses, fearing they would be too slow. Before long, the wave of house-buying would sweep across the entire Wano Country.
"Da da da~~"
Daichi hummed a little tune, skipping with cheerful steps.
"Hehehehehe, Orochi must be going crazy!"